The Opportunity
The Chief Surveyor is responsible for the overall management, planning, execution, and
quality control of all mine surveying activities. This role ensures accurate spatial data
collection, mine design compliance, legal boundary control, volumetric calculations, and
support for safe and efficient mining operations. The Chief Surveyor leads the survey
team, oversees survey technologies and systems, and ensures compliance with
regulatory, operational, and company standards.
Responsibilities
Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop mine survey personnel.
Establish departmental goals, work plans, and performance standards.
Coordinate survey activities with mine planning, geology, engineering,
operations, and environmental teams.
Manage contractor survey services when required.
Develop and maintain survey procedures, standards, and best practices.
Plan and oversee all surface and underground survey activities.
Ensure accurate positioning and control networks are established and
maintained.
Verify mine development and production activities conform to approved mine
plans and designs.
Conduct and review topographic, boundary, construction, and as-built surveys.
Monitor mining progress and provide accurate survey information to operational
teams.
Maintain survey databases, drawings, plans, and spatial records.
Produce accurate maps, plans, sections, and 3D models.
Prepare volumetric calculations for ore extraction, stockpiles, waste dumps, and
tailings facilities.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Generate periodic reports for management, regulatory agencies, and technical
teams.
Ensure data integrity and proper document control.
Manage the use of GNSS/GPS equipment, total stations, laser scanners,
drones/UAVs, and other survey technologies.
Oversee mine surveying software and GIS systems.
Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and
accuracy.
Ensure proper calibration and maintenance of survey equipment.
Ensure all survey activities comply with applicable mining laws, regulations,
permits, and company policies.
Maintain legal mine boundaries and property records.
Support permitting, land management, and regulatory reporting requirements.
Provide survey documentation required for audits and inspections.
The above responsibilities are representative and may not include all assigned duties.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Geospatial Science, Mining
Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
10+ years of progressive surveying experience within mining operations.
5+ years in a supervisory or leadership role managing survey teams.
Experience in both surface and underground mining environments.
Experience with large-scale open pit, underground, or combined mining
operations.
Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining mine control networks.
Experience supporting mine planning, resource modeling, and production
reconciliation.
Proven experience managing survey databases and spatial information systems.
Required certifications and licenses include but are not limited to:
o Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), Professional Surveyor (PS), Registered
Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS), or equivalent registration as required
by applicable jurisdiction.
o Valid driver's license.
o Mine site safety training required by local regulations and company
standards.
Advanced proficiency with mine surveying software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan,
MineSight, Surpac).
Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS.
Strong knowledge of GNSS/GPS systems, total stations, laser scanning, and
photogrammetry.
Experience with UAV-based surveying and LiDAR technologies.
Proficiency in CAD and 3D modeling software.